Experiment 1 compared the effectiveness of retrieval practice, the keyword mnemonic and rote
rehearsal for learning foreign language vocabulary. Both mnemonic methods produced similar recall
and were superior to rote rehearsal. In Experiment 2, participants learned German vocabulary using
keywords, retrieval practice or their own method. Retrieval practice and keyword-based recall were
similar and superior to self-directed study. In Experiment 3, participants studied using keywords,
retrieval practice, a combination or an elaboration strategy. Criterion testing occurred immediately
and after a week. For receptive learning, retrieval practice and keywords were equally beneficial but
for productive learning, retrieval practice was more effective. Combining strategies produced mixed
results with significant benefits only for receptive learning in the delayed test